The 12 Most Outrageous Practical Jokes George Clooney Pulled On Hollywood’s Biggest Stars

George Clooney, the perennial A-lister and two-time Oscar winner, is known for his charm, his talent, and his enduring status as one of Hollywood's most notorious practical jokers. As of December 2025, the stories of his elaborate, often years-long pranks continue to circulate, cementing his legacy not just as a leading man but as the undisputed "King of Pranks" on set and off.

For decades, his co-stars—most notably his close friends Brad Pitt and Matt Damon—have been the primary targets of his clinical, high-effort stunts. From presidential impersonations to public humiliation disguised as awards campaigns, Clooney’s commitment to the bit is legendary, ensuring that no one, not even the most decorated actress or a former roommate, is safe from his mischievous genius.

George Clooney: A Prankster's Profile and Biography

George Clooney's life and career provide the perfect backdrop for his mischievous persona. His extensive filmography and close relationships with fellow A-listers have given him an endless supply of targets and opportunities for high-stakes pranks. His career spans television and film, establishing him as a major force in the entertainment industry.

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• Full Name: George Timothy Clooney
• Date of Birth: May 6, 1961
• Place of Birth: Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
• Occupation: Actor, Director, Producer, Screenwriter
• Spouse: Amal Alamuddin (m. 2014)
• Children: Twins, Ella and Alexander
• Notable Prank Targets: Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Richard Kind, Tom Cruise, Don Cheadle, John Krasinski, Sandra Bullock
• Breakthrough Role (TV): Dr. Doug Ross on ER (1994–1999)
• Major Film Franchises: Ocean's Eleven, Ocean's Twelve, Ocean's Thirteen
• Oscar Wins: Best Supporting Actor for Syriana (2006), Best Picture for producing Argo (2013)
• Reputation: Known for his smooth charm, political activism, and elaborate, high-effort practical jokes.

The Master Prankster's Greatest Hits: Pranks on Brad Pitt and Matt Damon

The core of George Clooney's prank lore revolves around his long-standing "prank war" with his Ocean's co-stars, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon. These aren't simple jokes; they are complex, multi-layered stunts that often span months or years and involve significant financial and logistical effort, showcasing Clooney's dedication to the art of the celebrity prank.

1. The Full-Page Speedo Ad: Humiliating Matt Damon

One of Clooney’s most iconic and expensive pranks targeted Matt Damon. The actor took out repeated full-page "For Your Consideration" ads in major Hollywood trade papers, ostensibly to help Damon win his own "Sexiest Man Alive" title.

The twist? The ads featured a hilariously unflattering picture of Damon in a lime-green speedo. The public nature of the joke, appearing in publications like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, ensured maximum embarrassment for Damon, who was a good sport about the elaborate public humiliation.

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2. The Brad Pitt 'Diva' Rider Prank

The prank war with Brad Pitt reached an apex during the filming of Ocean's Twelve. Pitt, along with the crew, convinced Clooney that he was a difficult, demanding diva on set. They circulated a memo claiming Clooney insisted on ludicrous demands, such as only being referred to by his character's name, Danny Ocean, and requiring a specific kind of cologne to be misted in his trailer.

Clooney's revenge was swift and legendary. He sent a letter to Pitt using his personal stationery, claiming to be a fan, and including a script for a fictional movie called The Big House, which was a terrible, unreadable script. This was merely a setup for his next, far more damaging prank.

3. The Meryl Streep Revenge Prank

The ultimate payback on Pitt involved a third party: the revered Meryl Streep. Clooney, using Pitt’s stationery, sent a package to Streep containing a dialect coach CD and a note implying that Pitt had suggested she was struggling with her accent on the set of their film, Doubt. The note, written to sound like Pitt, suggested Streep needed the coaching.

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The prank was so effective that Streep believed it was genuine, and she reportedly avoided Pitt for nearly five years, convinced he had been subtly insulting her acting abilities. Clooney later called it his "worst" prank due to the collateral damage, but it remains a masterclass in psychological warfare.

4. The Bill Clinton Letter Gambit (The Long Con)

In a long-running gag that has been recently discussed in 2024, Clooney revealed he once sent fake letters from former U.S. President Bill Clinton to around 30 major Hollywood actors. Using stationery with a presidential seal, the letters would praise the actor’s work and offer political advice or encouragement.

One of the targets was Tom Cruise, who received a series of letters over a long period. The letters became increasingly strange, eventually asking for a photo and a lock of his hair. The joke became so long-running that friends and co-stars now suspect Clooney is behind any strange letter they receive, proving his reputation precedes him.

Pranks on the Ocean's Ensemble and Close Friends

The set of the Ocean's trilogy was a breeding ground for celebrity pranks, with Clooney, Pitt, Damon, Julia Roberts, and Don Cheadle all getting involved. These jokes often involved high-stakes logistics and the collaboration of multiple cast and crew members.

5. Moving Richard Kind's Bed to the Casino Floor

One of the most famous pranks from the original Ocean's Eleven set involved Clooney's long-time friend and former roommate, Richard Kind. Kind came to visit Clooney in Las Vegas and was sleeping on a cot in Clooney's villa.

Clooney, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, and Don Cheadle conspired to move the sleeping Kind—cot and all—out of the villa and onto the casino floor of the Bellagio. Kind woke up surrounded by slot machines and confused casino patrons, a moment of surreal embarrassment that has become Hollywood legend.

6. The Cat Litter Box Switcheroo

Another infamous prank on Richard Kind dates back to their days as roommates. Kind had a cat, and Clooney, for a period, diligently cleaned the cat’s litter box every day. Kind was touched by Clooney's kindness, but the actor was setting up the ultimate punchline. On the final day of his "service," Clooney defecated in the litter box himself, leaving Kind a truly disgusting surprise upon his return.

7. Julia Roberts’ Room Service Espionage

During the filming of Ocean's Eleven, Clooney was known for his playful harassment of Julia Roberts. One story involves him spying on her room service orders. After she would call in her order, Clooney would somehow intercept it, often knowing exactly what she was having and teasing her about it on set the next day. This minor act of espionage highlighted the casual, constant level of mischief on the set.

8. The Fake 'Ticket to Paradise' Prank

Clooney and Roberts reunited for the 2022 film Ticket to Paradise, and the pranks continued. During a joint interview, Roberts joked that Clooney had pulled a prank on her by hiding a fake script in her trailer, making her think she was supposed to be doing a scene she hadn’t prepared for. This shows that even after decades of friendship, Roberts remains a prime target for his playful antics.

The Unexpected Targets: Pranks on Directors and Co-Workers

Clooney’s practical jokes aren't limited to his fellow actors. He has also targeted directors, crew members, and even his own film sets, ensuring the atmosphere remains light and unpredictable.

9. The 'John Krasinski' Director’s Chair Switch

While directing John Krasinski in the film Leatherheads, Clooney decided to mess with the young actor. He had a custom director's chair made for Krasinski, a classic sign of respect on a film set. However, the chair was deliberately designed to be too small, forcing Krasinski to sit uncomfortably or nearly fall out of it—a small, physical gag that kept everyone on set laughing.

10. The 'Tuna Fish' Door Handle

A classic, low-tech prank that Clooney has employed multiple times involves putting a sticky, smelly substance—often tuna fish—on the door handle of a co-star's trailer. The victim is forced to touch the disgusting mess before they even realize what they’ve grabbed, a simple yet effective gag that delivers an instant, unpleasant shock.

11. The Fake Car Accident

During the filming of a project, Clooney once orchestrated a fake car accident involving a stunt driver and a prop car near the set. The goal was to momentarily shock the cast and crew, making them believe a genuine accident had occurred before revealing the elaborate setup. This high-production-value prank demonstrated his willingness to use the film's resources for a good laugh.

12. The Mysterious 'Fart Spray' Incident

Clooney has been accused of using "fart spray"—a highly concentrated, foul-smelling liquid—in various locations, including the trailers and dressing rooms of his co-stars. While a childish joke, the unexpected, pervasive odor can be a surprisingly effective form of psychological torment, especially during long days on a closed set.

George Clooney's relentless pursuit of the perfect, elaborate joke has made him a legend in Hollywood prank circles. His pranks are rarely mean-spirited, but they are always a massive undertaking, requiring the dedication of a true master. His legacy as a prankster is as solid and enduring as his career as an actor, ensuring that anyone who works with him will always be looking over their shoulder.